Systems and methods for device load transfer in a hybrid monitoring system

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide systems and method for hybrid monitoring of individuals using both a combination of a user attached monitor device and a user detached monitor device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/221,494 entitled “Systems and Methods for Device LoadTransfer in a Hybrid Monitoring System”, and filed Dec. 15, 2018 by Bucket al; which in turn claims priority to (i.e., is a non-provisional of)U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/612,650 entitled “Systems and Methods forMonitoring Individuals”, and filed Jan. 1, 2018 by Buck et al. Theentirety of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and method for hybrid monitoring ofindividuals using both a combination of a user attached monitor deviceand a user detached monitor device.

Large numbers of individuals are currently monitored as part of parolerequirements or other requirements. Such monitoring allows a monitoringagency to determine whether the individual is engaging in acceptablepatterns of behavior, and where an unacceptable behavior is identifiedto stop such behavior going forward. In many monitoring systems, thelack of sufficient mobile power limits the ability of a monitoringagency to know the movement details of a tracked individual.

Thus, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need inthe art for more advanced approaches, devices and systems formonitoring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and method for hybrid monitoring ofindividuals using both a combination of a user attached monitor deviceand a user detached monitor device.

This summary provides only a general outline of some embodiments. Manyother objects, features, advantages and other embodiments will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the various embodiments may be realized byreference to the figures which are described in remaining portions ofthe specification. In the figures, similar reference numerals are usedthroughout several drawings to refer to similar components. In someinstances, a sub-label consisting of a lower-case letter is associatedwith a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components.When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification toan existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiplesimilar components.

FIG. 1 a is a block diagram illustrating a hybrid monitoring systemincluding both a user attached monitor device and a user detachedmonitor device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1 b is a block diagram of a user detached monitor device usable inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 1 c is a block diagram of a user attached monitor device includinga local communication link in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1 d shows a user attached monitor device with an attachment elementfor attaching the user attached monitor device to a limb of anindividual in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method for connecting a user detachedmonitoring device and a user attached monitoring device using a localcommunication link, and for changing a mode of operation of a monitoringsystem based upon the connection in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for using a user detachedmonitoring device to report battery status of a user attached monitoringdevice and change a mode of operation of a monitoring system inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for switching from userattached monitoring device location coordinates to user detachedmonitoring device location coordinates in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method for switching from automaticcheck-ins performed via a user attached monitoring device to manualcheck-ins performed via a user detached monitoring device accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method for switching from manualcheck-ins performed via a user detached monitoring device to automaticcheck-ins performed via a user attached monitoring device accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a method for battery load sharingbetween a user attached monitor device and a user detached monitordevice in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing another method for battery load sharingbetween a user attached monitor device and a user detached monitordevice in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing a method for battery load switchscheduling in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and method for hybrid monitoring ofindividuals using both a combination of a user attached monitor deviceand a user detached monitor device.

It has been found that returning offenders to society after being lockedup in a secure facility with little if any control of their day to dayactivities is often unsuccessful. It is often helpful to have, forexample, a parole officer monitor their movements and activities for aperiod of time as they reenter society. In some cases, the paroleofficer is aided by a tracking device attached to the individual beingmonitored. However, this is costly as a parole officer must besignificantly involved in monitoring and responding to situations. Someembodiments disclosed herein reduce the interaction between the trackingdevice and the parole officer.

Further, it has been found that once a monitoring term has beencompleted and a monitored individual has been fully released intosociety without oversight, the chances that the individual willre-engage in problematic behavior is high. Various embodiments disclosedherein provides tools and devices that continue to support theindividual as they transition away from the active oversight by, forexample, a parole officer.

Various embodiments provide monitoring systems that include both a userattached monitor and a user detached monitor. The user attached monitorincludes: an attachment element configured to attach to a limb of anindividual being monitored; a tamper sensor configured to indicateremoval of the user attached monitor from the individual beingmonitored; a first status monitor operable to determine a first statusof the individual being monitored; and a first local communicationcircuit operable to communicate with a second local communicationcircuit of a user detached monitor. The user detached monitor includes:a second status monitor operable to determine a second status of theindividual being monitored; and the second local communication circuit.The second local communication circuit is configured to: communicatewith the first local communication circuit of the user attached monitor;and indicate a successful communication with the user attached monitor.The user detached monitor further includes a computer readable mediumincluding instructions executable by a processor to enable a hybrid modeof operation where a portion of operations performed by one of the userdetached monitor or the user attached monitor is modified in partbecause of the indication of a successful communication with the userattached monitor.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first statusincludes one or more of: a location, a motion indication, a tamperindication, and/or a blood alcohol content. In various instances of theaforementioned embodiments, the first status monitor is selected from agroup consisting of: a GPS location circuit, a cell tower triangulationlocation circuit, a Wi-Fi based location circuit, a motion sensor, atamper sensor, and a biometric sensor. In some instances of theaforementioned embodiments, the second status includes one or more of: alocation, a photo, a finger print, and/or an audio recording. In one ormore instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first statusmonitor is selected from a group consisting of: a GPS location circuit,a temperature sensor circuit, a camera, and a microphone. In certaininstances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first localcommunication circuit and the second local communication circuit areoperable to communicate via a protocol selected from a group consistingof: a BlueTooth™ protocol, and a Wi-Fi protocol.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the portion ofoperations performed by one of the user detached monitor or the userattached monitor modified in part because of the indication of asuccessful communication with the user attached monitor is selected froma group consisting of: changing location detection of the individualbeing monitored from the user attached monitor to the user detachedmonitor, changing communication to a central control from the userattached monitor to the user detached monitor, changing a check-in fromthe user attached monitor to the user detached monitor, and changing acheck-in from the user detached monitor to the user attached monitor.

Other embodiments provide monitoring systems that include a userdetached monitor that is identified as controlled by an individual beingmonitored. The user detached monitor includes: a status monitor operableto determine a status of the individual being monitored; a localcommunication circuit configured to: communicate with a user attachedmonitor that is physically attached to the individual being monitored,and indicate a successful communication with the user attached monitor;and a computer readable medium including instructions executable by aprocessor to enable a hybrid mode of operation where an operation forwhich the user attached monitor is configured to perform is performedinstead by the user detached monitor.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the operation forwhich the user attached monitor is configured to perform is reporting alow battery status of the user attached monitor to a central monitor. Insome such instances, the computer readable medium further includesinstructions executable by the processor to alert the individual beingmonitored of the low battery status of the user attached monitor, andwherein the alert is provided to the individual being monitored via auser interface. The user interface includes one or more of: a display ofthe user detached monitor, a speaker of the user detached monitor, or avibrator of the user detached monitor. In various instances, reportingthe low battery status of the user attached monitor to the centralmonitor is performed via a cellular telephone network.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the operationfor which the user attached monitor is configured to perform isdetermining a location of the individual being monitored. In some suchinstances, the computer readable medium further includes instructionsexecutable by the processor to: enable location updates on the userdetached monitor, determine whether the user attached monitor is withincommunication range of the user detached monitor, and communicate atleast a portion of the location updates to a central monitor.

In one or more instances of the aforementioned embodiments, theoperation for which the user attached monitor is configured to performis performing a scheduled check-in. In some such instances, the computerreadable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to: alert the individual being monitored of a check-inrequirement, and receive input from the individual being monitored via auser interface of the user detached monitor, and report at least aportion of the input received from the individual being monitored to acentral monitor. In some cases, the user interface includes one or moreof: a microphone, a touch screen, a camera, a biometric sensor, or atemperature sensor. In various cases, performing the scheduled check-inis requested as an automatic check-in performed by the user attachedmonitor, and the scheduled check-in is changed to a manual check-inperformed by the user detached monitor. In certain cases, the automaticcheck-in and the manual check-in gather different data about theindividual being monitored. in some cases, the automatic check-in andthe manual check-in gather the same class of data about the individualbeing monitored.

Yet other embodiments provide monitoring systems that include a userattached monitor. The user attached monitor includes: an attachmentelement configured to attach to a limb of an individual being monitored;a tamper sensor configured to indicate removal of the user attachedmonitor from the individual being monitored; a first local communicationcircuit operable to communicate with a second local communicationcircuit of a user detached monitor; and a computer readable mediumincluding instructions executable by a processor to enable a hybrid modeof operation where an operation for which the user detached monitor isconfigured to perform is performed instead by the user attached monitor.In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the operation forwhich the user detached monitor is configured to perform is performing ascheduled check-in. In some such instances, the computer readable mediumfurther includes instructions executable by the processor to perform thecheck-in by the user attached monitor, and to report a result of thecheck-in to a central monitor.

Some embodiments provide methods for extending battery life in amonitoring system. The methods include: providing a user attachedmonitor and providing a user detached monitor The user attached monitorincludes an attachment element configured to attach to a limb of anindividual being monitored; a tamper sensor configured to indicateremoval of the user attached monitor from the individual beingmonitored; a first circuitry to perform a first functionality of theuser attached monitor device; and a first local communication circuitoperable to communicate with a second local communication circuit of auser detached monitor. The user detached monitor includes: a secondcircuitry operable to perform a second functionality of the userdetached monitor device where the second functionality is a proxy of thefirst functionality, and the second local communication circuit operableto communicate with the first local communication circuit of the userattached monitor. During a first period, the method includes reducing apower consumption of the user attached monitor device by disabling thefirst circuitry and providing a proxy of the first functionality usingthe second circuitry of the user detached monitor device. During asecond period, the method includes re-enabling the first circuitry andproviding the first functionality using the first circuitry of the userattached monitor device. In some instances of the aforementionedembodiments, the methods further include reducing power consumption ofthe user attached monitor device by disabling the second circuitry andproviding a proxy of the second functionality using the first circuitryof the user attached monitor device during the second period.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiment, the methodsfurther include determining that the user attached monitor device iswithin a local communication range of the user detached monitor deviceby establishing communication between the first local communicationcircuit and the second local communication circuit. In such instances,the reducing the power consumption of the user attached monitor deviceby disabling the first circuitry and providing the proxy of the firstfunctionality using the second circuitry of the user detached monitordevice only occurs when the user detached monitor device and the userattached monitor device are within local communication range.

In one or more instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the secondcircuitry includes a computer readable medium including instructionsexecutable by a processor to at least in part perform the secondfunctionality. In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments,the first circuitry includes a computer readable medium includinginstructions executable by a processor to at least in part perform thefirst functionality. The first functionality may be, but is not limitedto, a location determination functionality; an alcohol detectionfunctionality; a wide area network communication functionality; acombination of the location determination functionality and the alcoholdetection functionality; a combination of the location determinationfunctionality and the wide area network communication functionality; acombination of the location determination functionality, the alcoholdetection functionality, and the wide area network communicationfunctionality; or a combination of the alcohol detection functionalityand the wide area network communication functionality.

Turning to FIG. 1 a , a block diagram illustrates a hybrid monitoringsystem 100 including both a user attached monitor device 110 and a userdetached monitor device 120 in accordance with various embodiments. Alocal communication link 112 allows for communication between userattached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120. Localcommunication link 112 may be any communication link that is capable oftransferring information or otherwise communicating between two deviceswithin a relatively short distance of each other. In some cases, forexample, local communication link 112 may be a BlueTooth™ communicationlink. In other examples, local communication link 112 may be a line ofsight infared communication link. As yet other examples, localcommunication link 112 may be a WiFi communication link. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of communication protocols and/or media that may beused to implement local communication link 112.

User detached monitor device 120 is portable, and may be any device thatis recognized as being used by or assigned to an individual beingmonitored, but is not physically attached to the individual beingmonitored by a tamper evident attaching device. User detached monitordevice 120 may be, but is not limited to, a cellular telephone capableof communication with user attached monitor device 110 via localcommunication link 112. In contrast, user attached monitor device 110 isattached to the individual being monitored using a tamper evidentattaching device like a strap. User attached monitor device 110 may be,but is not limited to, a tracking device that is attached around thelimb of an individual and includes indicators to monitor whether thedevice has been removed from the individual or otherwise tampered.Hybrid monitoring system 100 further includes a central monitoringstation 160 wirelessly coupled to user attached monitor device 110 anduser detached monitor device 120 via one or more wide area wireless(e.g., cellular telephone network, Internet via a Wi-Fi access point, orthe like) communication networks 150.

User detached monitor device 120 includes a location sensor that sensesthe location of the device and generates a location data. The locationdata may comprise one or more of: global positioning system (“GPS”)data, Assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) data, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration(“AFLT”) data, and/or cell tower triangulation data. Where GPS is used,user detached monitor device 120 receives location information fromthree or more GPS satellites 145 a, 145 b, 145 c via respectivecommunication links 130, 131, 132. The aforementioned location data isutilized verify the location of a user associated with user detachedmonitor device 120 at various points as more fully discussed below. Userdetached monitor device 120 is considered “ambiguous” because it is notattached to the user in a tamper resistant/evident way, but rather isfreely severable from the user and thus could be used by persons otherthan the target. Various processes discussed herein mitigate theaforementioned ambiguity to yield a reasonable belief that informationderived from user detached monitor device 120 corresponds to the target.

The location data and/or other data gathered by user detached monitordevice 120 is wirelessly transmitted to central monitoring station 160via wide area wireless network 150 accessed via a wireless link 133.Central monitoring station 160 may be any location, device or systemwhere the location data is received, including by way of non-limitingexample: a cellular/smart phone, an email account, a website, a networkdatabase, and a memory device. The location data is stored by centralmonitoring station 160 and is retrievable therefrom by a monitor, suchas a parent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison, spouse, friend, orother authorized group or individual. In this manner, monitor is able torespond appropriately to the detected out-of-bounds activity by a user.In some cases, the monitor is able to retrieve the location data via auser interaction system 185 which may be, but is not limited to, anetwork connected user interface device communicatively coupled via anetwork to central monitoring station 160 and/or directly to userdetached monitor device 120 via wide area wireless network 150.

User detached monitor device 120 may further include a useridentification sensor operable to generate user identification data foridentifying the user in association with the generation of the locationdata. The user identification data may comprise one or more of: imagedata, video data, biometric data (e.g. fingerprint, DNA, retinal scan,etc. data), or any other type of data that may be used to verify theidentity of the user at or near the time the location data is generated.And the user identification sensor may comprise one or more of: acamera, microphone, heat sensor, biometric data sensor, or any othertype of device capable of sensing/generating the aforementioned types ofuser identification data.

The user identification data is wirelessly transmitted in associationwith the location data to central monitoring station 160 via a wirelesstransmitter communicatively coupled to the user identification sensor.The user identification data is stored in association with the locationdata by central monitoring station 160 and is retrievable therefrom by amonitor, such as a parent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison,spouse, friend, or other authorized group or individual. Preferably, themonitor is able to retrieve the location data via a network connecteduser interface device communicatively coupled—via the network—to centralmonitoring station 160 and/or to user detached monitor device 120. Thelocation data may be transmitted to central monitoring station 160independent of the user identification data, for example, during aperiodic check-in with central monitoring system 160.

User detached monitor device 120 may further comprise a memorycommunicatively coupled to a control unit—which is also communicativelycoupled to the location sensor, the identification sensor and thewireless transceiver—for controlling the operations thereof inaccordance with the functionalities described herein. The memory mayinclude non-transient instructions (e.g., software of firmware basedinstructions) executable by the control unit to perform and/or enablevarious functions associated with user detached monitor device 120. Asuser detached monitor device 120 is portable, each of the components maybe located within, immediately adjacent to, or exposed without, a devicehousing whose dimensions are such that user detached monitor device 120as a whole may be discretely carried by the user, for example, within apocket or small purse. User detached monitor device 120 may include aWi-Fi transceiver capable of receiving information from one or moreWi-Fi access points 187 that can be used to discern location via a Wi-Ficommunication link 114.

Central monitoring station 160 preferably comprises a server supportedwebsite, which may be supported by a server system comprising one ormore physical servers, each having a processor, a memory, an operatingsystem, input/output interfaces, and network interfaces, all known inthe art, coupled to the network. The server supported website comprisesone or more interactive web portals through which the monitor maymonitor the location of the user in accordance with the describedembodiments. In particular, the interactive web portals may enable themonitor to retrieve the location and user identification data of one ormore users, set or modify ‘check-in’ schedules, and/or set or modifypreferences. The interactive web portals are accessible via a personalcomputing device, such as for example, a home computer, laptop, tablet,and/or smart phone.

In some embodiments, the server supported website comprises a mobilewebsite accessible via a software application on a mobile device (e.g.smart phone). The mobile website may be a modified version of the serversupported website with limited or additional capabilities suited formobile location monitoring.

User attached monitor device 110 includes a location sensor that sensesthe location of the device and generates a location data. The locationdata may comprise one or more of: global positioning system (“GPS”)data, Assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) data, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration(“AFLT”) data, and/or cell tower triangulation data. Where GPS is used,user attached monitor device 110 receives location information fromthree or more GPS satellites 145 a, 145 b, 145 c via respectivecommunication links 136, 138, 139. The aforementioned location data isutilized to verify the location of a user associated with user attachedmonitor device 110 at various points as more fully discussed below. Userattached monitor device 110 is considered “non-ambiguous” because it isphysically attached to the user in a tamper resistant way and as suchprovides information only about the user to which it is attached.

The location data and/or other data gathered by user attached monitordevice 110 is wirelessly transmitted to central monitoring station 160via a wide area wireless network 150 accessed via a wireless link 135.Central monitoring station 160 may be any location, device or systemwhere the location data is received, including by way of non-limitingexample: a cellular/smart phone, an email account, a website, a networkdatabase, and a memory device. The location data is stored by centralmonitoring station 160 and is retrievable therefrom by a monitor, suchas a parent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison, spouse, friend, orother authorized group or individual. In this manner, monitor is able torespond appropriately to the detected out-of-bounds activity by a user.

User attached monitor device 110 may further comprise a memorycommunicatively coupled to a control unit—which is also communicativelycoupled to the location sensor, the identification sensor and thewireless transceiver—for controlling the operations thereof inaccordance with the functionalities described herein. The memory mayinclude non-transient instructions (e.g., software of firmware basedinstructions) executable by the control unit to perform and/or enablevarious functions associated with user attached monitor device 110. Userattached monitor device may include a strap which can be wrapped arounda limb of the individual being monitored to secure user attached monitordevice to the individual. The strap includes one or more tamper circuitsand/or sensors that allow for a determination as to whether the devicehas been removed or otherwise tampered. Examples of a strap and tamperdetection circuitry that may be used in relation to various embodimentsdiscussed herein are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,355,579 entitled“Methods for Image Based Tamper Detection”, and filed by Buck et al. onSep. 15, 2014; and US Pat. Pub. No. US 2017-0270778 A1 entitled “Systemsand Methods for Improved Monitor Attachment”, and filed by Melton et al.on Mar. 21, 2016. Both of the aforementioned references are incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofstraps, tamper circuits, tamper devices, and/or attachment and tamperdetection approaches that may be used in relation to variousembodiments. User attached monitor device 110 may include a Wi-Fitransceiver capable of receiving information from one or more Wi-Fiaccess points 187 that may be used to identify location via a Wi-Ficommunication link 113.

Turning to FIG. 1 b , a block diagram of user detached monitor device120 is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. User detachedmonitor device 120 includes wireless transceiver circuitry 128 that iscapable of sending and receiving information via wireless link 133to/from wide area wireless network 150. Wireless transceiver circuitry128 may be any circuitry, integrated circuit, and/or processor orcontroller capable of supporting wireless communication. Such wirelesscommunication may include, but is not limited to, cellular telephonecommunication, Internet communication via a Wi-Fi access point, or both.In addition, user detached monitor device 120 includes a vibrator 112, aspeaker 114, and a visual display and touch screen 116. In some cases,at scheduled times a user of user detached monitor device 120 is alertedof a need to check-in. The schedule of check-in times may be downloadedto a memory 124 by central monitoring station 160 via wireless link 133.The user may be alerted by one or more of: a visual prompt via visualdisplay and touch screen 116, an audio prompt via speaker 114, and atactile prompt via vibrator 112. Each of vibrator 112, speaker 114, andvisual display and touch screen 116 is communicatively coupled to memory124 and/or a control circuit 122 for controlling the operations thereof.In some cases, control circuit 122 includes a processor. In variouscases, control circuit 122 is part of an integrated circuit. In one ormore cases, memory 124 is included in an integrated circuit with controlcircuit 122. In various cases, memory 124 may include non-transientinstructions (e.g., software of firmware based instructions) executableby controller circuit 122 to perform and/or enable various functionsassociated with user detached monitor device 120. A visual prompt mayinclude, but is not limited to, text, images and/or a combinationthereof, or a series of such visual prompts. An audio prompt mayinclude, but is not limited to, one or more different audio prompts, ora series thereof. Each prompt may be stored in memory 124 and retrievedin accordance with the schedule that is also maintained in memory 124.In some embodiments, alerting the user involves a prompt that includesan e-mail or text message generated by central monitoring station 160(e.g. the server supported website) and transmitted to the e-mailaccount or cellular phone number corresponding to user detached monitordevice 120. In particular embodiments, such a prompt may include a‘post’ on the user's ‘wall,’ ‘feed,’ or other social networkingprivilege. In some embodiments, the prompt may comprise an automated orlive phone call to the user.

User detached monitor device 120 further includes user identificationcircuitry 179 capable of gathering user identification information fromone or more of a microphone 171, a camera 173, a temperature sensor 175,and/or a biometric sensor 177. In some cases, user identificationcircuitry 179 is incorporated in an integrated circuit with controlcircuit 122. Microphone 171 is capable of accurately capturing the soundof a user's voice, camera 173 is capable of accurately capturing imagesincluding, for example, an image of the user's face, temperature sensor175 is capable of accurately capturing an ambient temperature arounduser detached monitor device 120, and biometric sensor 177 is capable ofaccurately capturing biometric data about the user including, but notlimited to, a thumb print, a retinal scan, or a breath-based alcoholmeasurement. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of biometric data andcorresponding sensors that may be used in relation to differentembodiments. Under the direction of control circuitry 122, useridentification circuitry 179 assembles one or more elements of datagathered by microphone 171, a camera 173, a temperature sensor 175,and/or a biometric sensor 177 into a user identification package whichis forwarded to central monitoring station 160 via wireless transceivercircuitry 128.

User detached monitor device 120 additionally includes locationcircuitry 126. Location circuitry 126 may include one or more of, a GPSprocessing circuit capable of fixing a location of user detached monitordevice 120 using GPS data, an cell tower triangulation processingcircuit capable of fixing a location of user detached monitor device 120using cell tower triangulation data, and/or a cell tower triangulationcircuit capable of fixing a location of user detached monitor device 120using cell tower triangulation data. A local communication link 181controls communication between user detached monitor device 120 and userattached monitor device 110. In some embodiments, local communicationlink 181 supports a BlueTooth™ communication protocol and is capable ofboth receiving information from user attached monitor device 110 andtransmitting information to user attached monitor device 110. In otherembodiments, Local communication link 181 supports a Wi-Fi communicationprotocol and is capable of both receiving information from user attachedmonitor device 110 and transmitting information to user attached monitordevice 110. In some cases, local communication link 181 supportscommunication in only a receive or transmit direction. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of communication protocols and information transferdirections that may be supported by local communication link 181 inaccordance with different embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 1 c , a block diagram 194 of user attached monitordevice 110 including a local communication link 159 in accordance withsome embodiments. Local communication link 159 controls communicationbetween user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120. In some embodiments, local communication link 159 supports aBlueTooth™ communication protocol and is capable of both receivinginformation from user detached monitor device 120 and transmittinginformation to user detached monitor device 120. In other embodiments,local communication link 159 supports a Wi-Fi communication protocol andis capable of both receiving information from user detached monitordevice 110 and transmitting information to user detached monitor device110. In some cases, local communication link 159 supports communicationin only a receive or transmit direction. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of communication protocols and information transfer directionsthat may be supported by local communication link 159 in accordance withdifferent embodiments.

As shown, user attached monitor device 110 includes a device ID 161 thatmay be maintained in a memory 165, and thus is accessible by acontroller circuit 167. Controller circuit 167 is able to interact witha GPS receiver 162 and memory 165 at times for storing and generatingrecords of successively determined GPS locations. Similarly, controllercircuit 167 is able to interact with a Wi-Fi receiver 188 and memory 165at times for storing and generating records of successively determinedWi-Fi access point identifications and signal strength. In some cases,memory 165 may include non-transient instructions (e.g., software offirmware based instructions) executable by controller circuit 167 toperform and/or enable various functions associated with user attachedmonitor device 110. As user attached monitor device 110 comes withinrange of one or more Wi-Fi access points (e.g., Wi-Fi access points187), Wi-Fi receiver 188 senses the signal provided by the respectiveWi-Fi access points, and provides an identification of the respectiveWi-Fi access point and a signal strength of the signal received from theWi-Fi access point to Wi-Fi receiver 188. This information is providedto controller circuit 167 which stores the information to memory 165.

Where user attached monitor device 110 is operating in a standard mode,controller circuit 167 causes an update and reporting of the location ofuser attached monitor device 110 via a cellular transceiver 168 and widearea communication network 150 in accordance with a first time period.In contrast, where user attached monitor device 110 is within range of apublic Wi-Fi access point, reporting the location of user attachedmonitor device 110 may be done via the public Wi-Fi access point inplace of the cellular communication link. In another case where userattached monitor device 110 is operating in a low battery mode,reporting the location of user attached monitor device 110 may be donevia user detached monitoring device 120 coupled using localcommunication link 159.

Which technologies are used to update the location of user attachedmonitor device 110 may be selected either by default, by programmingfrom a central monitor system (not shown), or based upon scenarios. Forexample, it may be determined whether sufficient battery power asreported by power status 196 remains in user attached monitor device 110to support a particular position determination technology. Whereinsufficient power remains, the particular technology is disabled. Insome cases, a maximum cost of resolving location may be set for userattached monitor device 110. For example, resolving Wi-Fi location datamay incur a per transaction cost to have a third party service providerresolve the location information. When a maximum number of resolutionrequests have been issued, the Wi-Fi position determination technologymay be disabled. Further, it may be determined the likelihood that aparticular position determination technology will be capable ofproviding meaningful location information. For example, where userattached monitor device 110 is moved indoors, GPS receiver 162 may bedisabled to save power. Alternatively, where the tracking device istraveling at relatively high speeds, the Wi-Fi receiver 188 may bedisabled. As yet another example, where cellular phone jamming isoccurring, support for cell tower triangulation position determinationmay be disabled. As yet another example, where GPS jamming is occurring,GPS receiver 162 may be disabled. As yet another example, where userattached monitor device 110 is stationary, the lowest cost (from both amonetary and power standpoint) tracking may be enabled while all othertechnologies are disabled. Which position determination technologies areused may be based upon which zone a tracking device is located. Somezones may be rich in Wi-Fi access points and in such zones Wi-Fitechnology may be used. Otherwise, another technology such as AFLT, GPS,or cell tower triangulation may be used.

Controller circuit 167 of user attached monitor device 110 at timesfunctions in conjunction with cellular transceiver 168 to send andreceive data and signals through cellular network 150. This link attimes is useful for passing information and/or control signals between acentral monitoring system (not shown) and user attached monitor device110. The information transmitted may include, but is not limited to,location information, alcohol information, and information about thestatus of user attached monitor device 110. Based on the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of information that may be transferred via cellular network 150.

Various embodiments of user attached monitor device 110 include avariety of sensors capable of determining the status of user detachedmonitor device 120, and of the individual associated therewith. Forexample, a status monitor 166 may include one or more of the followingsubcomponents: power status sensor 196 capable of indicating a powerstatus of user detached monitor device 120. The power status may beexpressed, for example as a percentage of battery life remaining. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of forms in which power status may beexpressed. In addition, user attached monitor device 110 includes a setof shielding sensors 169 that are capable of determining whether userattached monitor device 110 is being shielded from receiving GPS signalsand/or if GPS jamming is ongoing, a set of device health indicators 154,a tamper sensor 131 capable of determining whether unauthorized accessto user attached monitor device 110 has occurred or whether userattached monitor device 110 has been removed from an associatedindividual being monitored, a motion/proximity sensor 152 capable ofdetermining whether user attached monitor device 110 is moving and/orwhether it is within proximity of an individual associated with userdetached monitor device 120, and/or an alcohol sensor 153. Such analcohol sensor may be any alcohol sensor capable of estimating an amountof alcohol in the individual being monitored. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of alcohol sensors and corresponding alcohol sensing circuitrythat may be used in relation to different embodiments. Based on thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of shielding sensors, a variety of device healthtransducers and indicators, a variety of tamper sensors, variousdifferent types of motion sensors, different proximity to human sensors,and various human body physical measurement sensors or transducers thatmay be incorporated into user attached monitor device 110 according tovarious different instances and/or embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 1 d , a user attached monitor device 1089 is shown withan example attachment element 1090 connected at opposite ends of userattached monitor device 1089 (i.e., a first end 1097 and a second end1098). Attachment element 1090 is operable to securely attach a trackingdevice 1095 (i.e., a combination of user attached monitor device 1089and attachment element 1090) to a limb of an individual in accordancewith some embodiments. In various embodiments, attachment element 1090includes electrically and/or optically conductive material used to makea conductive connection form first end 1097 to second end 1098 throughattachment element 1090 and is used in relation to determining whetheruser attached monitor device 1089 remains attached and/or has beentampered with. While FIG. 1 d shows a strap as an example attachmentelement, based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize other types of attachment elements thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 2 , a flow diagram 200 shows a method for connecting auser detached monitoring device and a user attached monitoring deviceusing a local communication link, and for changing a mode of operationof a monitoring system based upon the connection in accordance withvarious embodiments. The mode of operation is changed between anon-hybrid operation mode where monitoring is performed exclusively byonly one of the user detached monitor device or the user attachedmonitor device. In certain embodiments, when a connection between a userattached monitor device and a user detached monitor device is notpossible, monitoring of an individual is performed exclusively by theuser attached monitor device.

Following flow diagram 200, local communication is attempted by the userdetached monitor device to the user attached monitor device (block 205).The communication attempt can be sent by one or both of the userattached monitoring device and/or the user detached monitoring device.In some cases, the communication is always attempted by the userdetached monitor device to the user attached monitor device (block 205).In such cases, the aforementioned local communication link 181 of theuser detached monitor device is used to send a connection request tolocal communication link 159 of the user attached monitor device. Wherethe request is accepted by the user attached monitor device, the devicesare connected. In some cases, the connection request is a BlueTooth™communication protocol request. In other cases, the connection requestis a Wi-Fi communication protocol request. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of communication protocol requests that may be used to supportrelatively short distance communication (i.e., less than one hundred(100) feet) in relation to different embodiments.

In other cases, the communication is always attempted by the userattached monitoring device to the user detached monitor device (block206). In such cases, the aforementioned local communication link 159 ofthe user attached monitor device is used to send a connection request tothe local communication link 181 of the user detached monitor device.Where the request is accepted by the user detached monitor device, thedevices are connected. In certain cases, the communication is attemptedby both the user attached monitoring device to the user detached monitordevice, and the user detached monitoring device to the user attachedmonitor device in parallel (block 206). Where either the connectionrequest from the user detached monitor device to the user attachedmonitor device or the connection request from the user attached monitordevice to the user detached monitor device is accepted by the recipientdevice, the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice are considered connected (block 210).

Where the user detached monitor device and the user attached monitordevice are considered attached (block 210), hybrid mode operation isenabled (block 216) and the hybrid mode of operation is reported to thecentral monitor by one or both of the user detached monitor deviceand/or the user attached monitor device (block 221). Hybrid modeoperation allows for use of functionality from a combination of the userattached monitor device and the user detached monitor device (block226). Such operation in the hybrid mode is shown in dashed lines asthere are a large number of combinations of the functionality of theuser detached monitor device and the user attached monitor device thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments. For example, asdiscussed in more detail below in relation to FIG. 3 , where it isdetermined that the battery in the user attached monitor device isidentified the cellular transmitter in the user attached monitor devicemay be shut down and all cellular communications handled via the userdetached monitor device. This may be done, for example, by transferringreporting data from the user attached monitor device to the userdetached monitor device (using a combination of local communication link159 and local communication link 181), and the information transferredto the user detached monitor device is uploaded to a central monitorusing the cellular transceiver of the user detached monitor device.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of combinations of the functionality of theuser detached monitor device and the user attached monitor device thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments.

Alternatively, where the user detached monitor device and the userattached monitor device are not considered attached (block 210), thehybrid mode of operation is disabled (block 215) and the non-hybrid modeof operation is reported to the central monitor by one or the other ofthe user detached monitor device or the user attached monitor devicethat attempted to connect to the other but failed to establish aconnection (block 220). Non-hybrid mode operation causes both the userattached monitor device and the user detached monitor device to operateas if they are the only monitoring device in operation (block 225).

Turning to FIG. 3 , a flow diagram 300 shows a method for operating in ahybrid mode of operation (one example of processes performed in block226 discussed above) that includes using a user detached monitoringdevice to report battery status of a user attached monitoring device andto change a mode of operation of a monitoring system in accordance withone or more embodiments. Following flow diagram 300, a status monitor onthe user attached monitor device determines whether a low batterycondition exists (block 305). A low battery condition may be, forexample, a condition where less than twenty percent of a full chargeremains on the battery of the user attached monitor device. Based uponthe disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of conditions that may be considered a low batterycondition for different embodiments.

Where a low battery condition is determined by the user attached monitordevice (block 305), the low battery condition is reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 310).This information is communicated via a message sent via the localcommunication link 159 of the user attached monitor device to the localcommunication link 181 of the user detached monitor device. The messageis sent using any protocol supported between the local communicationlink 159 and the local communication link 181. In some embodiments, themessage includes only a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) that implies the low battery condition. In other embodiments,the message includes a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) followed by detailed battery information in a data packetfollowing the header. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of messages and/ormessage protocols that may be used in relation to different embodimentsto indicate low battery status from the user attached monitor device tothe user detached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to theindividual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated with theuser detached monitor device) (block 315). This reporting may be done,for example, by displaying a message indicating the low batterycondition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of the userdetached monitor device. As another example, the message indicating thelow battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert via the speaker114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting an individual beingmonitored of a low battery condition of the user attached monitordevice. Providing such a low battery message to the individual beingmonitored allows for providing both an opportunity and a responsibilityfor maintaining the battery of the user attached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to acentral monitor (block 320). In some embodiments, reporting of the lowbattery status to the central monitor is done via a cellular telephonenetwork via the wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detachedmonitor device. Alternatively, reporting of the low battery status tothe central monitor is done via the Internet using a Wi-Fi hotspot viathe wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detached monitordevice.

The attached monitor device disables the cellular transmissioncapability (e.g., the cellular transceiver 168) (block 325). Bytransmitting the low battery condition to the central monitor via theuser detached monitor device and turning off the cellular communicationcapability of the user detached monitor device, the battery of the userattached monitor device is preserved.

Alternatively, where a low battery condition is not reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 305),the user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) (block 311). Similar to that describedabove, this reporting may be done, for example, by displaying a messageindicating the low battery condition via the visual display and touchscreen 116 of the user detached monitor device. As another example, themessage indicating the low battery condition may be delivered as anaudio alert via the speaker 114 of the user detached monitor device.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of methods and/or mechanisms for alertingan individual being monitored of a low battery condition of the userattached monitor device. Providing such a low battery message to theindividual being monitored allows for providing both an opportunity anda responsibility for maintaining the battery of the user attachedmonitor device.

The user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) via the user detached monitor device(block 316). Similar to that described above, this reporting may bedone, for example, by displaying a message indicating the sufficientbattery condition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of theuser detached monitor device. As another example, the message indicatingthe sufficient battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert viathe speaker 114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting anindividual being monitored of a sufficient battery condition of the userattached monitor device.

Turning to FIG. 4 , a flow diagram 400 shows a method for operating in ahybrid mode of operation (another example of processes performed inblock 226 discussed above) that includes using location coordinates fromthe user detached monitor device in place of user coordinates from theuser attached monitor in accordance with various embodiments. Followingflow diagram 400, a status monitor on the user attached monitor devicedetermines whether a low battery condition exists (block 405). A lowbattery condition may be, for example, a condition where less thantwenty percent of a full charge remains on the battery of the userattached monitor device. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of conditions thatmay be considered a low battery condition for different embodiments.

Where a low battery condition is determined by the user attached monitordevice (block 405), the low battery condition is reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 410).This information is communicated via a message sent via the localcommunication link 159 of the user attached monitor device to the localcommunication link 181 of the user detached monitor device. The messageis sent using any protocol supported between the local communicationlink 159 and the local communication link 181. In some embodiments, themessage includes only a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) that implies the low battery condition. In other embodiments,the message includes a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) followed by detailed battery information in a data packetfollowing the header. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of messages and/ormessage protocols that may be used in relation to different embodimentsto indicate low battery status from the user attached monitor device tothe user detached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to theindividual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated with theuser detached monitor device) (block 415). This reporting may be done,for example, by displaying a message indicating the low batterycondition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of the userdetached monitor device. As another example, the message indicating thelow battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert via the speaker114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting an individual beingmonitored of a low battery condition of the user attached monitordevice. Providing such a low battery message to the individual beingmonitored allows for providing both an opportunity and a responsibilityfor maintaining the battery of the user attached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to acentral monitor (block 420). In some embodiments, reporting of the lowbattery status to the central monitor is done via a cellular telephonenetwork via the wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detachedmonitor device. Alternatively, reporting of the low battery status tothe central monitor is done via the Internet using a Wi-Fi hotspot viathe wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detached monitordevice.

The attached monitor device disables GPS location determinationfunctionality (e.g., the GPS receiver 162) (block 425). In some cases,any Wi-Fi based location functionality is also disabled. By turning offthe GPS location determination functionality and/or other locationdetermination functionality in the user attached monitor device, thebattery of the user attached monitor device is preserved.

The user detached monitor device turns on GPS location functionality inthe user detached monitor device (e.g., the location detection circuit126) (block 430). In some cases, any Wi-Fi based location functionalityis also turned on—either in addition to GPS location functionality or inplace of GPS location functionality. By turning off the locationdetermination functionality of the user attached monitor device andturning on the location determination functionality of the user detachedmonitor device, power is effectively being shared from the user detachedmonitor device to the user attached monitor device.

Location status expected by the central monitor is serviced by the userdetached monitor device instead of the user attached monitor device(block 435). While such location information from the user detachedmonitor device may be considered less reliable than that from the userattached monitor device because the user detached monitor device is notphysically attached to the individual being monitored, a periodicconnection request from the user detached monitor device to the userattached monitor device can be used to verify that the user detachedmonitor device is within a define range (i.e., a range supported betweenthe local communication link 181 of the user detached monitor device andthe local communication link 159 of the user attached monitor device. Byknowing that the user detached monitor device is within a communicationrange of the user attached monitor device, the reliability of locationinformation derived from the user detached monitor device can be mademore reliable.

Alternatively, where a low battery condition is not reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 405),the user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) (block 411). Similar to that describedabove, this reporting may be done, for example, by displaying a messageindicating the low battery condition via the visual display and touchscreen 116 of the user detached monitor device. As another example, themessage indicating the low battery condition may be delivered as anaudio alert via the speaker 114 of the user detached monitor device.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of methods and/or mechanisms for alertingan individual being monitored of a low battery condition of the userattached monitor device. Providing such a low battery message to theindividual being monitored allows for providing both an opportunity anda responsibility for maintaining the battery of the user attachedmonitor device.

The user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) via the user detached monitor device(block 416). Similar to that described above, this reporting may bedone, for example, by displaying a message indicating the sufficientbattery condition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of theuser detached monitor device. As another example, the message indicatingthe sufficient battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert viathe speaker 114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting anindividual being monitored of a sufficient battery condition of the userattached monitor device.

Turning to FIG. 5 , a flow diagram 500 shows a method for operating in ahybrid mode of operation (one example of processes performed in block226 discussed above) that includes switching from automatic check-insperformed via the user attached monitoring device to manual check-insperformed via a user detached monitoring device accordance with variousembodiments. Following flow diagram 500, a status monitor on the userattached monitor device determines whether a low battery conditionexists (block 505). A low battery condition may be, for example, acondition where less than twenty percent of a full charge remains on thebattery of the user attached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of conditions that may be considered a low battery condition fordifferent embodiments.

Where a low battery condition is determined by the user attached monitordevice (block 505), the low battery condition is reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 510).This information is communicated via a message sent via the localcommunication link 159 of the user attached monitor device to the localcommunication link 181 of the user detached monitor device. The messageis sent using any protocol supported between the local communicationlink 159 and the local communication link 181. In some embodiments, themessage includes only a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) that implies the low battery condition. In other embodiments,the message includes a header indicating the message type (i.e., lowbattery) followed by detailed battery information in a data packetfollowing the header. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of messages and/ormessage protocols that may be used in relation to different embodimentsto indicate low battery status from the user attached monitor device tothe user detached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to theindividual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated with theuser detached monitor device) (block 515). This reporting may be done,for example, by displaying a message indicating the low batterycondition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of the userdetached monitor device. As another example, the message indicating thelow battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert via the speaker114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting an individual beingmonitored of a low battery condition of the user attached monitordevice. Providing such a low battery message to the individual beingmonitored allows for providing both an opportunity and a responsibilityfor maintaining the battery of the user attached monitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to acentral monitor (block 520). In some embodiments, reporting of the lowbattery status to the central monitor is done via a cellular telephonenetwork via the wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detachedmonitor device. Alternatively, reporting of the low battery status tothe central monitor is done via the Internet using a Wi-Fi hotspot viathe wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of the user detached monitordevice.

Check-Ins that were originally scheduled to be performed automaticallyby the user attached monitor device are changed to manual check-ins tobe performed using the user detached monitor device (block 525). Such“check-ins” are scheduled uploads of data from one or both of the userattached monitor device and/or the user detached monitor device. Theuser attached monitor device performs automatic check-ins. As usedherein the phrase “automatic check-in” is used in its broadest sense tomean any process of providing status information according to a schedulewithout active involvement by the individual being monitored. Such anautomatic check-in may include, but is not limited to, the user attachedmonitor device uploading location and device tamper status to a centralmonitor within a reporting window. In contrast, the phrase “manualcheck-in” includes all other processes of providing status information.For example, a manual check-in may include requesting information froman individual that requires a response. Such a manual check-in mayinclude, but is not limited to, requesting a fingerprint from the uservia a touch screen of the user detached monitor device. Other featuresand processes included with check-ins are discussed in relation to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/221,493 entitled “Systems and Methods forSemi-Autonomous Individual Monitoring” and filed on a date even herewithby Buck et al. The entirety of the aforementioned reference isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Alternatively, where a low battery condition is not reported by the userattached monitor device to the user detached monitor device (block 505),the user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) via the user detached monitor device(block 516). Similar to that described above, this reporting may bedone, for example, by displaying a message indicating the sufficientbattery condition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of theuser detached monitor device. As another example, the message indicatingthe sufficient battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert viathe speaker 114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting anindividual being monitored of a sufficient battery condition of the userattached monitor device.

Where there is sufficient battery in the attached user monitor device(block 505), all check-ins are performed in accordance with the originalschedule of check-ins (i.e., a schedule of check-ins not modified bychanging automatic check-ins to manual check-ins as done in block 525)(block 530). As more fully discussed in the previously incorporatedreference entitled “Systems and Methods for Semi-Autonomous IndividualMonitoring”, a check-in schedule can be created that includes one ormore check-in times along with one or more requirements for thecheck-ins (e.g., manual or automatic check-in).

It is determined whether the check-in schedule indicates it is time toperform a check-in (block 535). Where it is determined that a check-inis due (block 535), an individual being monitored is notified of thecheck-in requirements if the check-in to be performed is a manualcheck-in (block 540). This alert to the individual being monitored maybe performed similar to that disclosed in the previously incorporatedreference entitled “Systems and Methods for Semi-Autonomous IndividualMonitoring”. The individual then checks-in in accordance with the checkin requirements. Where, on the other hand, the check-in is to beperformed automatically, the automatic check-in is performed (block545).

It is determined whether the required check-in information was receivedfrom the user detached monitoring device within the expected window oftime (block 550). If the required information is not received (block550), a check-in failure is indicated (block 555). When such a check-infailure is indicated, a message is sent from the user detachedmonitoring device to the central monitoring station that includes recentlocation information for the user detached monitoring device and anindication of the check-in failure. Alternatively, if the requiredinformation is received (block 550), a check-in success is indicated(block 560). When such a check-in success is indicated, a message issent from the user detached monitoring device to the central monitoringstation that includes recent location information for the user detachedmonitoring device and the gathered user identification information(i.e., a subset of the required check-in information).

Turning to FIG. 6 , a flow diagram 600 shows a method for operating in ahybrid mode of operation (one example of processes performed in block226 discussed above) that includes switching from manual check-insperformed via a user detached monitoring device to automatic check-insperformed via a user attached monitoring device accordance with someembodiments. Following flow diagram 600, a status monitor on the userdetached monitor device determines whether a low battery conditionexists (block 605). A low battery condition may be, for example, acondition where less than twenty percent of a full charge remains on thebattery of the user detached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of conditions that may be considered a low battery condition fordifferent embodiments.

Where a low battery condition is determined by the user detached monitordevice (block 605), the low battery condition is reported by the userdetached monitor device to the user attached monitor device (block 610).Providing this low battery information allows the user attached monitordevice to perform automatic check-ins where an original check-inschedule indicated a manual check-in. This low battery information iscommunicated via a message sent via the local communication link 181 ofthe user detached monitor device to the local communication link 159 ofthe user attached monitor device. The message is sent using any protocolsupported between the local communication link 159 and the localcommunication link 181. In some embodiments, the message includes only aheader indicating the message type (i.e., low battery) that implies thelow battery condition. In other embodiments, the message includes aheader indicating the message type (i.e., low battery) followed bydetailed battery information in a data packet following the header.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of messages and/or message protocols thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments to indicate low batterystatus from the user attached monitor device to the user detachedmonitor device.

The user detached monitor device reports the low battery status to theindividual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated with theuser detached monitor device) (block 615). This reporting may be done,for example, by displaying a message indicating the low batterycondition via the visual display and touch screen 116 of the userdetached monitor device. As another example, the message indicating thelow battery condition may be delivered as an audio alert via the speaker114 of the user detached monitor device. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of methods and/or mechanisms for alerting an individual beingmonitored of a low battery condition of the user attached monitordevice. Providing such a low battery message to the individual beingmonitored allows for providing both an opportunity and a responsibilityfor maintaining the battery of the user attached monitor device.

The user attached monitor device reports the low battery status to acentral monitor (block 620). In some embodiments, reporting of the lowbattery status to the central monitor is done via a cellular telephonenetwork via cellular transceiver 168 of the user attached monitordevice. Alternatively, reporting of the low battery status to thecentral monitor is done via the Internet using a Wi-Fi hotspot via theWi-Fi transceiver 188 of the user attached monitor device.

Check-Ins that were originally scheduled to be performed manually by theuser detached monitor device are changed to automatic check-ins to beperformed using the user attached monitor device (block 625). Again,such check-ins are scheduled uploads of data from one or both of theuser attached monitor device and/or the user detached monitor device.The user attached monitor device performs automatic check-ins.

Alternatively, where a low battery condition is not reported by the userdetached monitor device to the user attached monitor device (block 605),the user detached monitor device periodically reports sufficient batteryto the individual being monitored (i.e., the individual associated withthe user detached monitor device) (block 616). Similar to that describedabove, this reporting may be done, for example, by displaying a messageindicating the sufficient battery condition via the visual display andtouch screen 116 of the user detached monitor device. As anotherexample, the message indicating the sufficient battery condition may bedelivered as an audio alert via the speaker 114 of the user detachedmonitor device. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of methods and/ormechanisms for alerting an individual being monitored of a sufficientbattery condition of the user detached monitor device.

Where there is sufficient battery in the attached user monitor device(block 605), all check-ins are performed in accordance with the originalschedule of check-ins (i.e., a schedule of check-ins not modified bychanging manual check-ins to automatic check-ins as done in block 625)(block 630). As more fully discussed in the previously incorporatedreference entitled “Systems and Methods for Semi-Autonomous IndividualMonitoring”, a check-in schedule can be created that includes one ormore check-in times along with one or more requirements for thecheck-ins (e.g., manual or automatic check-in).

It is determined whether the check-in schedule indicates it is time toperform a check-in (block 635). Where it is determined that a check-inis due (block 635), an individual being monitored is notified of thecheck-in requirements if the check-in to be performed is a manualcheck-in (block 640). This alert to the individual being monitored maybe performed similar to that disclosed in the previously incorporatedreference entitled “Systems and Methods for Semi-Autonomous IndividualMonitoring”. The individual then checks-in in accordance with the checkin requirements. Where, on the other hand, the check-in is to beperformed automatically, the automatic check-in is performed (block645).

It is determined whether the required check-in information was receivedfrom the user detached monitoring device within the expected window oftime (block 650). If the required information is not received (block650), a check-in failure is indicated (block 655). When such a check-infailure is indicated, a message is sent from the user detachedmonitoring device to the central monitoring station that includes recentlocation information for the user detached monitoring device and anindication of the check-in failure. Alternatively, if the requiredinformation is received (block 650), a check-in success is indicated(block 660). When such a check-in success is indicated, a message issent from the user detached monitoring device to the central monitoringstation that includes recent location information for the user detachedmonitoring device and the gathered user identification information(i.e., a subset of the required check-in information).

Turning to FIG. 7 , a flow diagram 700 showing a method for battery loadsharing between a user attached monitor device and a user detachedmonitor device in accordance with various embodiments. Following flowdiagram 700, it is determined whether battery load sharing is desiredwhen hybrid mode is operational (block 705). Hybrid operational mode isselected using a process similar to that discussed above in relation toFIG. 2 . This determination may be made by one or both of the userdetached monitor device and/or the user attached monitor device. In someembodiments, a monitoring person setting up the user detached monitordevice and/or the user attached monitor device may select a settingindicating that where possible (e.g., where hybrid mode is enabled)battery load sharing should be used. Alternatively, or in addition, asetting change may be performed remotely by downloading an update to oneor both of the user detached monitor device and/or the user attachedmonitor device. Thus, as an example, a request to perform battery loadsharing may be downloaded from central monitoring station 160 to one orboth of user detached monitor device 120 and/or user attached monitordevice 110.

Where battery load sharing is selected (block 705), a load switchschedule is determined (block 710). In this embodiment, the load switchschedule indicates: a first time period during which functionality of auser attached monitor device is disabled to save power, while proxyfunctionality in a user detached monitor device is enabled to providesimilar results to that achievable using an enabled user attachedmonitor device; and a second time period during which functionality of auser attached monitor device is re-enabled to allow the user attachedmonitor device to perform its functionality. Without a change in status(i.e., hybrid mode of operation and battery load sharing selected), thesecond period follows the first period, and the first period follows thesecond period resulting in a continuous switching of the user attachedmonitor device from a power saving mode to an operational mode.

In some cases, the load switch schedule is a simple default schedulewhere the user attached monitor device is fully operational for somedefined period, such as, for example, twenty (20) minutes, and is atleast partially turned off for a subsequent twenty (20) minutes during atime when the user detached monitor device performs a proxy of thefunctionality previously performed by the user attached monitor device.More complex determinations of determining a load switch schedule may beused. For example, determining the load switch schedule may be basedupon a remaining battery in one or both of the user detached monitordevice and/or the user attached monitor device and an expected batteryusage rate for one or both of the user detached monitor device and/orthe user attached monitor device. This information may be used, forexample, to determine a load switch schedule that will maximize theamount of time that the monitoring system relying upon the user detachedmonitor device and the user attached monitor device can continueoperating without being recharged. An example of such an data inputbased approach for determining the load switch schedule is discussed inmore detail below in relation to FIG. 9 . Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of load switch schedules and/or processes for determining loadswitch schedules that may be used in relation to different embodiments.

During a first period of the load switch schedule, selectedfunctionality of the user attached monitor device is turned off orotherwise transitioned into a reduced operational mode to conserve power(block 715). The selected functionality may include any functionalityavailable from the user attached monitor device that has a reasonableproxy in the user detached monitor device. For example, where both theuser attached monitor device and the user detached monitor deviceinclude location determination capability, the location determinationcapability of the user attached monitor device may be turned off toconserve power. It is noted that the location determination capabilityof the user detached monitor device may not provide the same informationas the corresponding capability of the user attached monitor devicebecause, for example, the user detached monitor device may only be closeto the individual being monitored and not directly attached to theindividual being monitored such that the location may be slightlydifferent. That said, the location determination capability provides areasonable proxy for the location information that would have beenavailable from the user attached monitor device. Further, the way thelocation is determined may be different between the user attachedmonitor device and the user detached monitor device. For example, theuser attached monitor device may have been generating location databased upon information received from a location beacon or from a numberof Wi-Fi access points, and in contrast the location determinationfunctionality of the user detached monitor device may be determininglocation based upon GPS signals. While the way the location is beingdetermined may be different, the location information generated by theuser detached monitor device is a reasonable proxy for that which wouldhave been generated by the user attached monitor device.

As another example, where both the user attached monitor device and theuser detached monitor device include alcohol detection capability, thealcohol detection capability of the user attached monitor device may beturned off to conserve power. It is noted that the alcohol detectioncapability of the user detached monitor device may not provide the sameinformation as the corresponding capability of the user attached monitordevice. For example, the alcohol detection capability of the userattached monitor device may include transdermal alcohol detection andthe alcohol detection capability of the user detached monitor device maybe breath-based alcohol detection. That said, the alcohol detectioncapability provides a reasonable proxy for the alcohol detectioncapability that would have been used by the user attached monitordevice.

As yet another example, where both the user attached monitor device andthe user detached monitor device include wide area network communicationcapability, the wide area network communication functionality of theuser attached monitor device may be turned off to conserve power andinstead relevant data from the user attached monitor device transmittedvia a local communication link to the user detached monitor device. Itis noted that the wide area network communication functionality of theuser detached monitor device may not transmit data to a central monitorusing the same transmission path or protocols as would have been used bythe user attached monitor device, but the transmission process offeredby the user detached monitor device is a reasonable proxy for thedisabled functionality in the user attached monitor device.

The process of turning off functionality of the user attached monitordevice may include disabling multiple functions (e.g., both wide areanetwork communication functionality and location determinationfunctionality, or all of wide area network communication functionality,alcohol detection functionality, and location determinationfunctionality).

In addition, the proxy functionality of the user detached monitor deviceis enabled (block 720). This enabling may include, for example, turningon functionality that was not previously operational in the userdetached monitor device or leaving functionality that was previouslyoperating on the user detached monitor device operational. Thus, forexample, where the location determination functionality of the userattached monitor device was disabled, the location determinationfunctionality of the user detached monitor device is enabled.

With the enabling and disabling processes complete, a user detachedproxy mode is engaged where the user detached monitor device performsproxy functionality in place of the functionality that would have beenperformed by the user attached monitor device (block 725). Thus, forexample, where the selected functionality is location determinationfunctionality, the location determination functionality of the userdetached monitor device is used to track the location of the individualbeing monitored. Further, in accordance with an update schedule and/orupon request from a central monitoring station, the location informationdeveloped using the location determination functionality of the userdetached monitor device is uploaded to the central monitoring station.As another example, where the selected functionality is alcoholdetection functionality, the alcohol detection functionality of the userdetached monitor device is used to perform alcohol detection and whererequired or requested to upload the results of the detection to thecentral monitoring station. As yet another example, where the selectedfunctionality is wide area network communication functionality, the widearea network communication functionality of the user detached monitordevice is used to perform all communications with the central monitoringstation. Thus, for example, if the central monitoring station requestsinformation from the user attached monitor device that is not availablefrom the user detached monitor device, the user detached monitor devicerequests and receives the information from the user attached monitordevice via the local communication link. Once received, the userdetached monitor device communicates the gathered information to thecentral monitoring station.

It is determined whether the first period of the load switch schedulehas completed (block 730). Where the period has not yet completed (block730), the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice continue operating as described above in relation to block 725.Alternatively, where the period has completed (block 730), a secondperiod begins where the selected functionality of the user attachedmonitor device is re-enabled or turned on such that it returns to anoperational state (block 735), and the corresponding proxy functionalityof the user detached monitor device is disabled (block 740). In somecases, this disabling of functionality includes turning thefunctionality off to save power. In other cases, this disabling offunctionality leaves the functionality operational, but the userdetached monitor device no longer operates in a proxy mode designed tomake up for the functionality in the user attached monitor device thatwas turned off. During the second period, operation is in a standardmode where the user attached monitor device performs its standardfunctions and the user detached monitor device performs its standardfunctions (block 745).

It is determined whether the second period of the load switch schedulehas completed (block 750). Where the second period has not yet completed(block 750), the user attached monitor device and the user detachedmonitor device continue operating as described above in relation toblock 745. Alternatively, where the second period has completed (block750), the next first period begins at block 715. It should be noted thatwhile not shown in flow diagram 700, at any time that battery loadsharing is deselected (block 705) or hybrid operation mode is disabled(block 215 of FIG. 2 ), the processes of blocks 735, 740 are performed,and the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice transition to operating as described above in relation to block745.

Turning to FIG. 8 , a flow diagram 800 shows another method for batteryload sharing between a user attached monitor device and a user detachedmonitor device in accordance with various embodiments. Following flowdiagram 800, it is determined whether battery load sharing is desiredwhen hybrid mode is operational (block 805). Hybrid operational mode isselected using a process similar to that discussed above in relation toFIG. 2 . This determination may be made by one or both of the userdetached monitor device and/or the user attached monitor device. In someembodiments, a monitoring person setting up the user detached monitordevice and/or the user attached monitor device may select a settingindicating that where possible (e.g., where hybrid mode is enabled)battery load sharing should be used. Alternatively, or in addition, asetting change may be performed remotely by downloading an update to oneor both of the user detached monitor device and/or the user attachedmonitor device. Thus, as an example, a request to perform battery loadsharing may be downloaded from central monitoring station 160 to one orboth of user detached monitor device 120 and/or user attached monitordevice 110.

Where battery load sharing is selected (block 805), a load switchschedule is determined (block 810). In this embodiment, the load switchschedule indicates: a first time period during which functionality of auser attached monitor device is disabled to save power, while proxyfunctionality in a user detached monitor device is enabled to providesimilar results to that achievable using an enabled user attachedmonitor device; and a second time period during which functionality of auser attached monitor device is re-enabled to allow the user attachedmonitor device to perform its functionality, and correspondingfunctionality in the user detached monitor device is disabled to savepower. Without a change in status (i.e., hybrid mode of operation andbattery load sharing selected), the second period follows the firstperiod, and the first period follows the second period resulting in acontinuous switching of the user attached monitor device from a powersaving mode to an operational mode, and correspondingly continuousswitching of the user detached monitor device from an operational modeto a power saving mode.

In some cases, the load switch schedule is a simple default schedulewhere the user attached monitor device is fully operational for somedefined period, such as, for example, twenty (20) minutes, and is atleast partially turned off for a subsequent twenty (20) minutes during atime when the user detached monitor device performs a proxy of thefunctionality previously performed by the user attached monitor device.More complex determinations of determining a load switch schedule may beused. For example, determining the load switch schedule may be basedupon a remaining battery in one or both of the user detached monitordevice and/or the user attached monitor device and an expected batteryusage rate for one or both of the user detached monitor device and/orthe user attached monitor device. This information may be used, forexample, to determine a load switch schedule that will maximize theamount of time that the monitoring system relying upon the user detachedmonitor device and the user attached monitor device can continueoperating without being recharged. An example of such an data inputbased approach for determining the load switch schedule is discussed inmore detail below in relation to FIG. 9 . Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of load switch schedules and/or processes for determining loadswitch schedules that may be used in relation to different embodiments.

During a first period of the load switch schedule, selectedfunctionality of the user attached monitor device is turned off orotherwise transitioned into a reduced operational mode to conserve power(block 815). The selected functionality may include any functionalityavailable from the user attached monitor device that has a reasonableproxy in the user detached monitor device. For example, where both theuser attached monitor device and the user detached monitor deviceinclude location determination capability, the location determinationcapability of the user attached monitor device may be turned off toconserve power. It is noted that the location determination capabilityof the user detached monitor device may not provide the same informationas the corresponding capability of the user attached monitor devicebecause, for example, the user detached monitor device may only be closeto the individual being monitored and not directly attached to theindividual being monitored such that the location may be slightlydifferent. That said, the location determination capability provides areasonable proxy for the location information that would have beenavailable from the user attached monitor device. Further, the way thelocation is determined may be different between the user attachedmonitor device and the user detached monitor device. For example, theuser attached monitor device may have been generating location databased upon information received from a location beacon or from a numberof Wi-Fi access points, and in contrast the location determinationfunctionality of the user detached monitor device may be determininglocation based upon GPS signals. While the way the location is beingdetermined may be different, the location information generated by theuser detached monitor device is a reasonable proxy for that which wouldhave been generated by the user attached monitor device.

As another example, where both the user attached monitor device and theuser detached monitor device include alcohol detection capability, thealcohol detection capability of the user attached monitor device may beturned off to conserve power. It is noted that the alcohol detectioncapability of the user detached monitor device may not provide the sameinformation as the corresponding capability of the user attached monitordevice. For example, the alcohol detection capability of the userattached monitor device may include transdermal alcohol detection andthe alcohol detection capability of the user detached monitor device maybe breath-based alcohol detection. That said, the alcohol detectioncapability provides a reasonable proxy for the alcohol detectioncapability that would have been used by the user attached monitordevice.

As yet another example, where both the user attached monitor device andthe user detached monitor device include wide area network communicationcapability, the wide area network communication functionality of theuser attached monitor device may be turned off to conserve power andinstead relevant data from the user attached monitor device transmittedvia a local communication link to the user detached monitor device. Itis noted that the wide area network communication functionality of theuser detached monitor device may not transmit data to a central monitorusing the same transmission path or protocols as would have been used bythe user attached monitor device, but the transmission process offeredby the user detached monitor device is a reasonable proxy for thedisabled functionality in the user attached monitor device.

The process of turning off functionality of the user attached monitordevice may include disabling multiple functions (e.g., both wide areanetwork communication functionality and location determinationfunctionality, or all of wide area network communication functionality,alcohol detection functionality, and location determinationfunctionality).

In addition, the proxy functionality of the user detached monitor deviceis enabled (block 820). This enabling may include, for example, turningon functionality that was not previously operational in the userdetached monitor device or leaving functionality that was previouslyoperating on the user detached monitor device operational. Thus, forexample, where the location determination functionality of the userattached monitor device was disabled, the location determinationfunctionality of the user detached monitor device is enabled.

With the enabling and disabling processes complete, a user detachedproxy mode is engaged where the user detached monitor device performsproxy functionality in place of the functionality that would have beenperformed by the user attached monitor device (block 825). Thus, forexample, where the selected functionality is location determinationfunctionality, the location determination functionality of the userdetached monitor device is used to track the location of the individualbeing monitored. Further, in accordance with an update schedule and/orupon request from a central monitoring station, the location informationdeveloped using the location determination functionality of the userdetached monitor device is uploaded to the central monitoring station.As another example, where the selected functionality is alcoholdetection functionality, the alcohol detection functionality of the userdetached monitor device is used to perform alcohol detection and whererequired or requested to upload the results of the detection to thecentral monitoring station. As yet another example, where the selectedfunctionality is wide area network communication functionality, the widearea network communication functionality of the user detached monitordevice is used to perform all communications with the central monitoringstation. Thus, for example, if the central monitoring station requestsinformation from the user attached monitor device that is not availablefrom the user detached monitor device, the user detached monitor devicerequests and receives the information from the user attached monitordevice via the local communication link. Once received, the userdetached monitor device communicates the gathered information to thecentral monitoring station.

It is determined whether the first period of the load switch schedulehas completed (block 830). Where the period has not yet completed (block830), the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice continue operating as described above in relation to block 825.Alternatively, where the period has completed (block 830), a secondperiod begins where the selected functionality of the user attachedmonitor device is re-enabled or turned on such that it returns to anoperational state (block 835), and the corresponding selectedfunctionality of the user detached monitor device is disabled or turnedoff (block 840). In some cases, this disabling of functionality includesturning the functionality off to save power. In other cases, thisdisabling of functionality leaves the functionality operational, but theuser detached monitor device no longer operates in a proxy mode designedto make up for the functionality in the user attached monitor devicethat was turned off.

In addition, the proxy functionality of the user attached monitor deviceis enabled (block 845). This enabling may include, for example, turningon functionality that was not previously operational in the userattached monitor device or simply engaging the user attached monitordevice to take over performing the function of the functionality onbehalf of the user detached monitor device. Thus, for example, where thewide area network communication functionality of the user detachedmonitor device is disabled or turned off, the user attached monitordevice is enabled to perform all communications with the centralmonitoring station.

With the enabling and disabling processes complete, a user attachedproxy mode is engaged where the user attached monitor device performsproxy functionality in place of the functionality that would have beenperformed by the user detached monitor device (block 845). This enablingmay include, for example, turning on functionality that was notpreviously operational in the user attached monitor device or simplyengaging the user attached monitor device to take over performing thefunction of the functionality on behalf of the user detached monitordevice. Thus, for example, where the wide area network communicationfunctionality of the user detached monitor device is disabled or turnedoff, the user attached monitor device is enabled to perform allcommunications with the central monitoring station.

The system proceeds to operate during the second period in a userattached proxy mode where the user attached monitor device performsproxy functionality in place of the selected functionality of the userdetached monitor device (block 850). Thus, for example, where theselected functionality is the wide area network communicationfunctionality, any information requested or scheduled to be uploadedfrom the user detached monitor device to the central monitoring stationis done using the wide area network communication functionality of theuser attached monitor device. In particular, the user attached monitordevice communicates via the local communication link to obtain therequested or scheduled information, and then uploads receivedinformation to the central monitoring station using the wide areanetwork communication functionality of the user attached monitor device.

It is determined whether the second period of the load switch schedulehas completed (block 855). Where the second period has not yet completed(block 855), the user attached monitor device and the user detachedmonitor device continue operating as described above in relation toblock 850. Alternatively, where the second period has completed (block855), the next first period begins at block 815. It should be noted thatwhile not shown in flow diagram 800, at any time that battery loadsharing is deselected (block 805) or hybrid operation mode is disabled(block 215 of FIG. 2 ), all functionality of both the user detachedmonitor device and the user attached monitor device is re-enabled andthe user attached monitor device and the user detached monitor devicetransition to non-hybrid operational modes that do not rely on batteryload sharing.

Turning to FIG. 9 , a flow diagram 900 shows a method for battery loadswitch scheduling in accordance with some embodiments. Following flowdiagram 900, battery status from the attached monitor device is accessed(block 905) and battery status from the detached monitor device isaccessed (block 910). A load switch schedule is determined based uponthe battery status of the user attached monitor device, the batterystatus of the user detached monitor device, the expected battery usageof the user attached monitor device, and the expected battery usage ofthe user detached monitor device (block 915). Thus, as just one example,where the battery status indicates 80 (eighty percent) charged for boththe user detached monitor device and the user attached monitor device,and the user detached monitor device is expected to use its battery athalf the rate of the user attached monitor device, a load switchingschedule that switches the load more often to the user detached monitordevice than to the user attached monitor device. Where the goal is toextend the battery life of both the user attached monitor device and theuser detached monitor device so that the battery in each device isexhausted at about the same time, a first time for offloading from onedevice to the other device and a second time for offloading from theother device to the one device can be modified relative to one anotherwhere based upon the initial battery status of the devices and therelative rate at which battery is used in the respective devices. Thisprocess of determining the battery load switch scheduling may be doneone time or may be repeated periodically using updated battery statusinformation. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate a variety of approaches that may beused for determining a battery load switch schedule in accordance withdifferent embodiments.

In conclusion, the present invention provides for novel systems,devices, and methods for monitoring individuals and/or assets. Whiledetailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the invention havebeen given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from thespirit of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for extending battery life in amonitoring system, the monitoring system comprising: providing a userattached monitor, wherein the user attached monitor includes: anattachment element configured to attach to a limb of an individual beingmonitored; a first circuitry to perform at least a first functionalityof the user attached monitor device; and a first local communicationcircuit operable to communicate with a second local communicationcircuit of a user detached monitor; providing the user detached monitor,wherein the user detached monitor device includes: a second circuitryoperable to perform at least a second functionality of the user detachedmonitor device, wherein the first functionality is a proxy of the secondfunctionality; the second local communication circuit; during a firstperiod, reducing a power consumption of the user detached monitor deviceby disabling the second circuitry and providing a proxy of the secondfunctionality using the first circuitry of the user attached monitordevice; and during a second period, re-enabling the second circuitry andproviding the second functionality using the second circuitry of theuser detached monitor device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the userattached monitor device further includes: a tamper sensor configured toindicate removal of the user attached monitor device from the individualbeing monitored.
 3. The method of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: during a third period, reducing power consumption of theuser attached monitor device by disabling the first circuitry andproviding a proxy of the first functionality using the second circuitryof the user detached monitor device.
 4. The method of claim 1, themethod further comprising: determining that the user attached monitordevice is within a local communication range of the user detachedmonitor device by establishing communication between the first localcommunication circuit and the second local communication circuit; andwherein the reducing the power consumption of the user detached monitordevice by disabling the second circuitry and providing the proxy of thesecond functionality using the first circuitry of the user attachedmonitor device only occurs when the user attached monitor device and theuser attached monitor device are within local communication range. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the second circuitry comprises aprocessor and a computer readable medium including instructionsexecutable by the processor to at least in part perform the secondfunctionality.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first circuitrycomprises a processor and a computer readable medium includinginstructions executable by the processor to at least in part perform thefirst functionality.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondfunctionality is selected from a group consisting of: a locationdetermination functionality; an alcohol detection functionality; a widearea network communication functionality; a combination of the locationdetermination functionality and the alcohol detection functionality; acombination of the location determination functionality and the widearea network communication functionality; a combination of the locationdetermination functionality, the alcohol detection functionality, andthe wide area network communication functionality; and a combination ofthe alcohol detection functionality and the wide area networkcommunication functionality.
 8. A method for extending battery life in amonitoring system, the monitoring system comprising: providing a userattached monitor, wherein the user attached monitor device includes: anattachment element configured to attach to a limb of an individual beingmonitored; a first circuitry to perform a first functionality of theuser attached monitor device; and a first local communication circuitoperable to communicate with a second local communication circuit of auser detached monitor; providing the user detached monitor, wherein theuser detached monitor device includes: a second circuitry operable toperform a second functionality of the user detached monitor device,wherein the second functionality is a proxy of the first functionality;the second local communication circuit operable to: communicate with thefirst local communication circuit of the user attached monitor; during afirst period, reducing a power consumption of the user attached monitordevice by disabling the first circuitry and providing a proxy of thefirst functionality using the second circuitry of the user detachedmonitor device; and during a second period, re-enabling the firstcircuitry and providing the first functionality using the firstcircuitry of the user attached monitor device.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium, the computer readable mediumcomprising instructions executable by a processor to: determinecommunication success between a user attached monitor configured forattachment to an individual being monitored and a user detached monitorassociated with the individual being monitored, wherein the userattached monitor includes a first status monitor configured to determinea first status of the individual being monitored, and wherein the userdetached monitor includes a second status monitor configured todetermine a second status of the individual being monitored; and enablea hybrid mode of operation between the user attached monitor and theuser detached monitor, wherein in the hybrid mode of operation includestransfer of a function from one of the user attached monitor or the userdetached monitor to the other of the user attached monitor or the userdetached monitor.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the function is reporting a low batterystatus of at least one of the user attached monitor and the userdetached monitor.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the function is determining the first statusof the individual being monitored; wherein the transfer of function fromone of the user attached monitor or the user detached monitor to theother of the user attached monitor or the user detached monitor is atransfer of determining the first status of the monitor individual fromthe from the user attached monitor to the user detached monitor; andwherein the computer readable medium further includes instructionsexecutable by the processor to at least partially disable the firststatus monitor.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumof claim 11, wherein the first status of the individual being monitoredis a location of the individual being monitored, and wherein thecomputer readable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to: enable location updates on the user detached monitor,determine whether the user attached monitor is within communicationrange of the user detached monitor, and communicate at least a portionof the location updates on the user detached monitor to a centralmonitor.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium ofclaim 11, wherein the first status of the individual being monitored isa scheduled check-in status, and wherein the computer readable mediumfurther includes instructions executable by the processor to: alert theindividual being monitored of a check-in requirement via the userdetached monitor, receive input from the individual being monitored viaa user interface of the user detached monitor, and report at least aportion of the input received from the individual being monitored to acentral monitor.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumof claim 13, wherein the computer readable medium is incorporated in amonitoring system, wherein the monitoring system includes the processorand the user detached monitor, and wherein the user interface includesone or more of: a microphone, a touch screen, a camera, a biometricsensor, or a temperature sensor.
 15. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 14, wherein performing the scheduledcheck-in status is requested as an automatic check-in performed by theuser attached monitor, and the scheduled check-in is changed to a manualcheck-in performed by the user detached monitor.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the function isdetermining the second status of the individual being monitored; whereinthe transfer of function from one of the user attached monitor or theuser detached monitor to the other of the user attached monitor or theuser detached monitor is a transfer of determining the second status ofthe monitor individual from the from the user detached monitor to theuser attached monitor; and wherein the computer readable medium furtherincludes instructions executable by the processor to at least partiallydisable the second status monitor.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the computer readable mediumis incorporated in a monitoring system, and wherein the monitoringsystem includes: the processor, the user attached monitor, and the userdetached monitor.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the user attached monitor further includes:an attachment element configured to attach to a limb of an individualbeing monitored; and a tamper sensor configured to indicate removal ofthe user attached monitor from the individual being monitored.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein theuser attached monitor further includes: a first local communicationcircuit operable to communicate with a second local communicationcircuit of the user detached monitor.
 20. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the user detached monitorfurther includes: a second local communication circuit operable tocommunicate with a first local communication circuit of the userattached monitor.